Back in 1999, pop star Michael Jackson went in to request the role of Professor Charles Xavier in Bryan Singer's first X-Men film.
In a recent interview, producer Lauren Shuler Donner presented more specific details about Jackson's appearance at the Fox studio offices and his unusual pitch. She recalled Jackson's meeting with Bryan Singer and X-Men producers and crew. "I said to him, 'Do you know Xavier is an older white guy?" Donner explained. Jackson reportedly replied, "I can wear makeup." Then, Jackson gave an elaborate presentation, the highlight of which was the 1996 short film Ghosts, in which Jackson played five different roles, including that of an older white mayor.
Donner also revealed that when the acclaimed songwriter walked into the offices, he would not shake hands and wore sunglasses. At the time, Jackson was still a major celebrity and a huge concert draw. However, his public persona had long been marred by child abuse allegations that first surfaced in 1993. In spite of Jackson's efforts, producers at Twentieth Century Fox never thought of him as a serious candidate for the role. "Michael was already in the thick of all his allegations by X-Men," another producer noted.
Ultimately, the part went to Patrick Stewart, who played Professor Xavier throughout the X-Men film series until 2014's X-Men: Days of Future Past when the torch was passed to James McAvoy. Though, Stewart did reprise the role for 2017's Logan.
(via The Hollywood Reporter)